Mercedes pips McLaren on day two of Bahrain F1 test, Aston breaks down
Mercedes topped day two of the second Bahrain F1 test
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli ended day two of the second Bahrain Formula 1 test fastest, while a breakdown for Aston Martin caused a red flag.
Ending last week’s test at the Bahrain International Circuit with a 1-2, Mercedes has maintained its advantage across the first two days of the second test.
After George Russell led the field at the end of Wednesday’s running, team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli took over with the fastest lap of the pre-season so far.
Taking over from Russell in the afternoon session, Antonelli put 79 laps on the car and emerged from a time attack run with a 1m32.803s inside the final hour of track action.
He took over from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who shot to the top of the order during the second hour of the afternoon session with a 1m32.861s.
Piastri deposed McLaren team-mate Lando Norris, who topped the first session with a 1m33.453s and completed 72 laps.
The Australian suffered a stoppage after track running was halted for the practice start procedure, with the McLaren pulling off to the inside of Turn 1. However, he was able to get going again.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen led the way at the end of the first hour of the afternoon session with a 1m33.444s, before slipping to third behind Piastri by the end of the day.
He put 138 laps on the car and headed the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton, who had a much more productive afternoon, having missed most of the first session to a chassis problem.
The seven-time world champion managed 78 laps and produced a 1m33.408s with a late time attack to move into fourth.
Norris was fifth after his run in the McLaren in session one, while Franco Colapinto rounded out the top six in the Alpine.
Nico Hulkenberg was the best of the Audi drivers on Thursday in seventh, while Russell, Haas’ Esteban Ocon and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson rounded out the top 10.
The afternoon session was red-flagged inside the opening hour after Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin broke down at Turn 4.
While his car was quickly recovered, Alonso didn’t return to the session and was 15th with 68 laps under his belt.
Alex Albon was 11th for Williams, while Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), Ollie Bearman (Haas), Sergio Perez (Cadillac) headed Alonso, with Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) 16th.
Bottas’ running was limited to 58 laps in the morning due to an early issue with his Cadillac.
Testing concludes on Friday and begins at 7am GMT.
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